Avs’ Cale Makar has a strong case for being one of the top five players in the NHL after his dominant 2022 playoffs

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TAMPA — What were you doing at 23? Whatever it is, it probably wasn’t as cool as what Cale Makar is doing at that age.

The Avalanche stud defenseman enjoyed a very successful 2021-22 campaign; he earned his second All-Star selection and his first Norris Trophy victory. He capped it off by lifting the Stanley Cup with Colorado, as well as the Conn Smythe playoff MVP.

Makar’s status among the NHL’s elite has skyrocketed. He led all defenders with 28 goals in the regular season, more than forwards John Tavares, Patrick Kane, Patrice Bergeron and Tyler Seguin. He dominated in the playoffs, jumping out with 10 points in four games in the first round before finishing with 29 points in 20 games.

It’s not just that Makar produces points. He also possesses a rare skating ability. He has an uncanny ability to open his hips and run away from trouble. He can fly up and down the ice.

And he’s got slippery hands to match that skating ability. The highlights of him are endless:

And then there is the defense. Not many defenders in the world can make defensive plays against the best offensive players in the league look easy. But Makar has, even against the likes of Connor McDavid.

The conversation about who was the best defenseman in the league took place as the season progressed, but Makar’s performance in the playoffs cemented his status. He has surpassed Victor Hedman as the best blue line in hockey.

Now, it can be legitimately argued that despite only being in the league for three seasons, Makar is already one of the top five players in the NHL.

Who are the top five players in the NHL right now?

It is extremely difficult for a defender to be considered one of the best in the game. Playing on the blue line does not allow them to produce in attack like strikers do. The defense-over-attack argument is hard to make when the points are easily traceable.

Enter Makar and his 1,011 points per game. He has 180 points in 178 regular season games. Among defensemen who have recorded more than 250 points in his career, only two in NHL history have finished above 1.00 in points per game: Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey.

Makar isn’t the offensive machine that Erik Karlsson or Brent Burns were in their prime, where they sacrificed defense for offense. Makar’s two-way game is amazing; he uses his skating and stick to break up plays and be responsible in his own zone.

I could see arguments that players like Nikita Kucherov, Artemi Panarin, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin have had sustained success longer, but they aren’t doing things in all three zones like Makar.

If I had to list my top five players right now, this is how I would rank them, with Makar just slipping.

Range Player Position Equipment
1. Connor McDavid F Edmonton Oilers
two. auston matthews F the toronto maple leaves
3. Leon Draisaitl F Edmonton Oilers
Four. Nathan Mackinnon F colorado avalanche
5. Cala Makar D colorado avalanche




Reference-www.sportingnews.com

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